Clayton Reilly has worked with John Legend and Diddy, and has writing credits on Ne-Yo's new album "R.E.D." Photo Courtesy Clayton Reilly

The man behind some of today's most prominent Hip Hop and R&B artists, Clayton Reilly, has performed backup on trumpet for Diddy and John Legend, and co-produced Legend's hit "Tonight" and three songs on Ne-Yo's album "R.E.D.," which was released Nov. 6. He is currently working with Legend on songs for his heavily anticipated next album release and won a 2012 Soul Train award Nov. 8 for his previous song-writing efforts with the star.

But Reilly's musical life began in the Lehigh Valley.

THE STARTCurrently residing in Jersey City, Reilly grew up in Bethlehem, where his family still resides. A graduate of Liberty High School, he was in the choir, president of the band and theater group and yes, was even part of a boy band called Harmonize.

Anything musical, he did it, he says. A career in the business was always in his sights. But he knew he would have to extend beyond the Valley after graduation.

"You take what you have from your town and you expand it," he says.

After attending the University of Arts in Philadelphia, he was performing with Diddy's back-up group and tried out for John Legend's band but didn't make it, even though two of his friends did. Reilly instead went on tour with Legend's opening act at the time, Corinne Bailey Rae. Legend noticed Reilly during these shows.

THE CALLReilly received a call from Legend's management asking him to perform with him on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2007. He'd have to fly out to Los Angeles in four hours and learn the music and dance moves on the plane.

"That was kind of the birth of me working with John," he says. "I nailed it."

His relationship with Ne-Yo stemmed from a conversation Reilly's manager had in an elevator at Def Jam Records with a member of Ne-Yo's management team. The interaction was followed by Reilly ending up in Ne-Yo's studio collaborating on the songs instantly.

"He wrote a song in 45 minutes," Reilly says after he introduced material to Ne-Yo. "It was crazy."

When music is involved, there is never a dull moment, never down time
and never an instant where you can't be on. He doesn't believe in
setting limitations and has shown that no matter where you are, you can
make your dreams a reality.

"I work really hard," he says. "I just prepared for my opportunity. It came up and I was ready."

Check out video of Reilly performing with Legend on the CBS Morning Show below.